Merson Predicts Mbappé, Kane for World Cup Awards

Paul Merson, a former Arsenal legend, has made predictions for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, forecasting that Kylian Mbappé of France will win the Golden Ball, while England's captain Harry Kane is expected to secure the Golden Boot. Merson believes Mbappé is the obvious choice for the Golden Ball due to his goal-scoring ability and potential to lead France deep into the tournament.

For the Golden Boot, he backs Kane, citing his scoring prowess. Merson also identifies Colombia and Mexico as dark horses in the tournament, suggesting that Colombia could surprise many with their decent team and adaptability to humid conditions, which will be significant during the tournament.

He notes that Mexico, despite not qualifying as hosts, has a history of producing strong results in recent times.